Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte slammed the recent visit of Ret. Col. Bonifacio Bosita to the city in line with the issue of modified mufflers.

Bosita is the head of the Road Safety Advocates of the Philippines.

Bosita went to Davao on January 29, 2026 to raise the complaints received by the group regarding what it described as inconsistent enforcement of policies on alleged modified mufflers, citing differences between national laws and the city’s ordinance.

Among the issues raised involved the alleged apprehension of motorcycle riders by the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) for using modified mufflers that were supposedly not aligned with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) guidelines.

Duterte described the visit surprising.

“Nakapagtataka talaga — sa laki ng Pilipinas, dito pa sa Davao napiling umeksena ni Mr. Bosita,” Duterte said.

Duterte stressed that city officials were elected by Davaoeños and should be respected, noting that city employees were only enforcing existing laws.

“Kung makasigaw sa mga city employees na maayos namang ginagawa ang trabaho nila, akala mo siya ang inihalal ng mga Dabawenyo para mamuno sa siyudad. You were not elected here. Our people chose their leaders. Respect that,” Duterte added.

Duterte said that the Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code of Davao City aims to maintain peace and order, including regulating excessively loud modified exhaust systems or “bora-bora” pipes to protect residents, especially the elderly and children, from noise disturbance at night.

The lawmaker added that any proposed amendments to the ordinance should go through proper consultation and legislative process.

He also emphasized that while the local government remains open to dialogue, issues should not be addressed through confrontation.

“Kung gusto mong mag-advocate, gawin mo sa tamang paraan. Dialogue, not drama. Policy discussion, not public spectacle,” Duterte said.

“The local government is open to consultation. That’s how governance works — not through shouting matches, but through legislation and public dialogue,” Duterte added.

CHANNELING REQUESTS

Meanwhile, the Road Safety Advocates of the Philippines said it respects Duterte and the Davao City government but the congressman may have received wrong information.

The two organizations represented by Bosita as founding chairman – Road Safety Advocates of the Philippines and Real Service Advocates of the Philippines – are both registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The group maintained that as advocates, they only responded to requests from Davaoeño riders on January 29 regarding the apprehension of motorcycle riders with aftermarket mufflers.

As a sign of respect for the local government, the group said it attempted to pay courtesy calls at the Office of the City Mayor and the Office of the City Vice Mayor, but officials were reportedly not available at that time.

The group said the dialogue was witnessed by a representative from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and several local riders, including two who were apprehended due to aftermarket mufflers.

The group maintained the discussion was orderly and that no city employee was shouted at or disrespected during the visit.

It also urged Duterte to look into the matter and assured that if any misconduct is proven, Bosita himself would face concerned employees personally and apologize, if necessary.

According to the group, they also learned during the dialogue that motorcycles with aftermarket mufflers are impounded, and riders were fined.

They have since submitted a letter and position paper to the local government proposing amendments to the ordinance.